photos in labour

I had a lovely lunch with MIL and DH's 4 sisters yesterday. All was going well until MIL mentioned that she would make sure to get nice photos of me during labour. I was stunned as there has been no mention of her being present at the birth and absolutely no way that I want anyone there but DH. They have all planned to come to hospital and stay in the waiting room. I am so against it but don't want to hurt their feelings. In my plans, they stagger their visits starting 3-5hours after birth. Not all at once straight after! Any advice?

I had a lovely lunch with MIL and DH's 4 sisters yesterday. All was going well until MIL mentioned that she would make sure to get nice photos of me during labour. I was stunned as there has been no mention of her being present at the birth and absolutely no way that I want anyone there but DH. They have all planned to come to hospital and stay in the waiting room. I am so against it but don't want to hurt their feelings. In my plans, they stagger their visits starting 3-5hours after birth. Not all at once straight after! Any advice?

Oh you gotta love MIL don't u. You just have to upfront about it, my MIL asked to come into the labor room with me. I was shocked because it not something you ask, you would usually wait to be offered. DH and I agreed we didn't want anyone else but if I was it would be my own mother. After saying no to my MIL she then said that that she was going to be waiting in the waiting room and I kinda thought well if u want to wait there for how ever many hours go for your life. I ended up having to be induced and the morning we arrived at hospital there she was waiting for us at the hospital entrance CRYING. I was WTF!!! She didn't stay but msg me all day. Ended up with a c-section in the end. Just be up front with all of them. Remember it is your baby, they will soon get over it and it will all be forgotten about. GL!!!

Oh you gotta love MIL don't u. You just have to upfront about it, my MIL asked to come into the labor room with me. I was shocked because it not something you ask, you would usually wait to be offered. DH and I agreed we didn't want anyone else but if I was it would be my own mother. After saying no to my MIL she then said that that she was going to be waiting in the waiting room and I kinda thought well if u want to wait there for how ever many hours go for your life. I ended up having to be induced and the morning we arrived at hospital there she was waiting for us at the hospital entrance CRYING. I was WTF!!! She didn't stay but msg me all day. Ended up with a c-section in the end. Just be up front with all of them. Remember it is your baby, they will soon get over it and it will all be forgotten about. GL!!!

Oh no you poor thing! I had friend in similar situation and they ended up not telling anyone she was in labour or that she had given birth until she was ready to see everyone! Some people may find it unfair but in the end it's your labour and your baby you need to do what is right for you. Not sure if that helps at all. Good luck with your decision :)

Oh no you poor thing! I had friend in similar situation and they ended up not telling anyone she was in labour or that she had given birth until she was ready to see everyone! Some people may find it unfair but in the end it's your labour and your baby you need to do what is right for you. Not sure if that helps at all. Good luck with your decision :)

I agree with your plan! Talk to your husband as ask for his advice on how to approach? Maybe you need to make some kind of announcement to everyone that the hospital advised there is limited waiting room and since you don't know how long or what kind of labour you will have, your husband will advise once bub arrives and when visiting hours are. Very much more than fair! If you don't want to make a big scene, next time it comes up just casually say something to the effect of above, lets see how labour goes first! We'll let you know :) Good luck, it's a bit tricky.

I agree with your plan! Talk to your husband as ask for his advice on how to approach? Maybe you need to make some kind of announcement to everyone that the hospital advised there is limited waiting room and since you don't know how long or what kind of labour you will have, your husband will advise once bub arrives and when visiting hours are. Very much more than fair! If you don't want to make a big scene, next time it comes up just casually say something to the effect of above, lets see how labour goes first! We'll let you know :) Good luck, it's a bit tricky.

It's his mother so his place to tell her no one will be in there. Otherwise I agree with just don't let them know you are in labour and call them after bub is born and you and hubby have had your time.

It's his mother so his place to tell her no one will be in there. Otherwise I agree with just don't let them know you are in labour and call them after bub is born and you and hubby have had your time.

In my experience, I'd say its best to be upfront about your wishes right now and be very clear about it. I let my parents know when I went into labour and they turned up on my doorstep a couple of hours later. They planned on coming to the hospital with us and staying in the waiting room. I managed to talk them out of it but they still stayed at my house all the way through my labour. I think my labour kept stalling because I was so stressed with them being there. Next time I will be laying down the law upfront.

In my experience, I'd say its best to be upfront about your wishes right now and be very clear about it. I let my parents know when I went into labour and they turned up on my doorstep a couple of hours later. They planned on coming to the hospital with us and staying in the waiting room. I managed to talk them out of it but they still stayed at my house all the way through my labour. I think my labour kept stalling because I was so stressed with them being there. Next time I will be laying down the law upfront.

My mum kept hinting that she wanted to be in there - no way anyone was going to be there except dh and myself! I sent mum, dad (they're divorced) and my sis an email about a month before my due date with the hospital details, parking, visiting hours, and casually mentioned that no visitors were allowed in the birth suites, so we would let them know when we get moved to the maternity ward. Dad called me laughing and said "I take it that comment was for you mothers benefit!!" She and my sis kept going on that they had to be called as soon as I went into labour, which we also didn't want to do. I was induced, we only told dad as he had travel plans and was waiting for it. When dh called mum to tell her dd was here and to come up and see her, she burst into (happy) tears and was so excited that she could come and see her straight away! We said see, we knew best!!

My mum kept hinting that she wanted to be in there - no way anyone was going to be there except dh and myself! I sent mum, dad (they're divorced) and my sis an email about a month before my due date with the hospital details, parking, visiting hours, and casually mentioned that no visitors were allowed in the birth suites, so we would let them know when we get moved to the maternity ward. Dad called me laughing and said "I take it that comment was for you mothers benefit!!" She and my sis kept going on that they had to be called as soon as I went into labour, which we also didn't want to do. I was induced, we only told dad as he had travel plans and was waiting for it. When dh called mum to tell her dd was here and to come up and see her, she burst into (happy) tears and was so excited that she could come and see her straight away! We said see, we knew best!!

I just did the very same thing. I was induced but didn't tell anyone. Had bub early evening and when hubby rang to tell everyone he was here also said we were both knackered, visiting hours were nearly over and he'd been warned they were strict about enforcing them, and if we were up to a visit next day he'd let them know. Much nicer than all the pressure of having them out there waiting or trying to push their way in!

I just did the very same thing. I was induced but didn't tell anyone. Had bub early evening and when hubby rang to tell everyone he was here also said we were both knackered, visiting hours were nearly over and he'd been warned they were strict about enforcing them, and if we were up to a visit next day he'd let them know. Much nicer than all the pressure of having them out there waiting or trying to push their way in!

@bundette you did exactly what I did when DS was born. It was the best way I think. Once they knew he was here, they asked for me to let them know when I was happy for them to visit. It all worked out really well then.

@bundette you did exactly what I did when DS was born. It was the best way I think. Once they knew he was here, they asked for me to let them know when I was happy for them to visit. It all worked out really well then.

How about just not telling anyone you're in labour...? My husband and I did that with both our kids (the second my parents knew because they looked after our son). Not telling anyone meant no one would show up at the hospital....

How about just not telling anyone you're in labour...? My husband and I did that with both our kids (the second my parents knew because they looked after our son). Not telling anyone meant no one would show up at the hospital....

If all great responses don't work for you, you can tell the nursing staff that u don't wish for anyone but your husband to be there. They are pretty strict as they are there for u, not your unhappy family and friends who can't be there. My mum wasn't happy that she couldn't come down for the birth as I had to have a c section and only 1 person allowed with me. Of course I was choosing my fiancé. They get over it once LO arrives. You just stay stress free and good luck :)

If all great responses don't work for you, you can tell the nursing staff that u don't wish for anyone but your husband to be there. They are pretty strict as they are there for u, not your unhappy family and friends who can't be there. My mum wasn't happy that she couldn't come down for the birth as I had to have a c section and only 1 person allowed with me. Of course I was choosing my fiancé. They get over it once LO arrives. You just stay stress free and good luck :)

Our first we had people at hosp straight away and although it's well meant I had just labored for 33 hours and quite frankly didn't want to see anyone! Second time we put a very politically correct ban on everyone except my sister who was looking after our son- we explained that we wanted Henry to be the first to meet his brother. I'm really glad we did it too & shall be doing the same thing this time as well! The next day is early enough for everyone else!

Our first we had people at hosp straight away and although it's well meant I had just labored for 33 hours and quite frankly didn't want to see anyone! Second time we put a very politically correct ban on everyone except my sister who was looking after our son- we explained that we wanted Henry to be the first to meet his brother. I'm really glad we did it too & shall be doing the same thing this time as well! The next day is early enough for everyone else!

Get your hubby to tell her! And also, just remember, you don't need to be worrying about them, or letting them make you feel uncomfortable in labour! Just announce it afterwards, or just say NO! They'll get over it.

Get your hubby to tell her! And also, just remember, you don't need to be worrying about them, or letting them make you feel uncomfortable in labour! Just announce it afterwards, or just say NO! They'll get over it.

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